Google Subnet, a Network World blog, had a post today regarding this incident. In this post, the author (sorry, no name there...) writes:"...as this incident shows, Google is now in the same league as Windows. The textbook enterprise defense here is to diversify--standardize on Windows PCs, but also have a sprinkling of Mac and Linux around just in case. But is that realistic when it comes to Web search? Sure, there are some alternatives--Microsoft Live Search, Yahoo, Ask.com--but few everyday users even know where to find them, nevermind use them. If they can't use Google to search for an alternative, what then?"

Ridiculous statements...

Google is in the same league as Windows? WHAT? How?

Does Google charge for its search product? NODoes Google charge for any updates in its products? NODoes Google bundle its products? NO (at least not in the way M$ does... see IE)

M$ was essentially the first player in a huge market (heck, you could argue that they even created the market!), and it set the rules in a such a way, so no other entrant could fairly compete.... All the costs it ever had where directly passed on to its customers...

Google on the contrary, was definitely NOT the first player in the search market. However it was (and still is...) the first company that took search seriously and even managed to create a billion dollar market out of it... Its costs are NOT covered by its main customers (at least 99% of costs), but from advertisers who pay to get their - helpfully - related brand positioned next to our queries...

Microsoft Live Search, Yahoo, Ask.com--but few everyday users even know where to find them, nevermind use them. If they can't use Google to search for an alternative, what then?"

I don't know about you, but this is rather insulting. Maybe the author is really having problems typing "www.yahoo.com" or "www.live.com" in his address bar... but WE (and I think this includes you too!) certainly DON'T...

Oh, and as for "using them"? Well, its really not THAT hard... Just point the little pointy thing on your screen, to the box, next to the "Search" button... That would surely do the trick...

It all sums up in our CHOICE over the quality of search services. The best one is the one we choose to use, and that's why the world held its breath for 45 minutes...